laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

Another two and a half weeks' travel brought them to the darker town of Mellerud where Lisa could feel the taint of the Dark One within. Lericanin and the group also seemed quieter as they headed to the central part of town bustling with the afternoon traffic and business. Vendors selling all manner of goods enjoyed a rich market for many of their trades bought from far and near. As they entered the oak door underneath the wooden sign sporting a black dragon, she felt another of greater power touch her mind.

'Tia and we have been awaiting your arrival with great anticipation, Kailee. Come see us this afternoon at our home, you remember how to get here?'

'Of course. I'll see you soon.'

After Selyria handed her the key, she walked her gear upstairs and hung her backpack on the bed's post, then turned and exited to the hallway as Sceva stepped out of the room that he and Faer shared.

"I need to hunt," Lisa notified. "I'll be back in a bit."

"Alright, be careful. We'll see you soon."

She nodded, then continued on through the marketplace and out to the northeastern gate. Evading farmsteads and private homes, she meandered through the forest to finally find the modest, two-story residence buried deep within the low forested hills. The three heartbeats that she felt within were also joined by a fourth that didn't appear like the bird that was perched within the living room. His essence was much darker and more powerful and sent a shiver up her spine as Tia opened the door and ran to her. Arms wrapping around one another, they embraced as Lisa fell onto the ground with her friend.

"I've feared the worst," Tia finally revealed as she backed. Hazel-green eyes glazed in joy. "Your father, Duke William, and his wives have visited twice and notified us that you were alive and well and I've been trying to get him to take me to you, but he said that the others wouldn't be as happy to see me." Her jet black hair glistened in the sunlight as she lay beside Lisa who admired her sister. But something was different from the one that she remembered.

"How have you been," Lisa asked.

"Great," Tia turned and lay on her back, staring up into the boughs above. Lisa noted through the revealing black leather top, a brand embossed between her breasts that made Lisa rise a bit. A flaming eye stared up from her friend's lower chest.

"That isn't the tattoo that I remember," Lisa stated as her heart sank.

Tia's slender fingers carressed the symbol. "I gave myself to him when we offered my father during the festival last autumn. Not necessarily a fair trade, but my mother couldn't think of anyone better to sacrifice than a son of a bishop of Arhus." She giggled darkly. "I also met my future husband there, he's a knight of Sater and has been training for the coming campaign. He's visited a few times and I'm in love," she smiled. "How long will you be in town?"

"Probably not long. We're going north to visit a friend and we'll probably be heading back to Carbost from there," she informed as she leaned on her left elbow and watched as Tia rose to face her.

"Indulge me for a moment, I heard a rumor," she gently swept back the hood to let fall the long, fiery orange hair that also glistened in the sunlight that cast dappled spots of light onto them. She then lowered the scarf and her eyes went wide. "It is true. I understand why you wear these, men would be following you everywhere, wishing to be your servants. Oh, you have to play with this. He blessed you, use it to your advantage. Don't hide this beauty, Kailee. You could be a queen if you really wanted to."

"I don't want to. I enjoy my life just as it is. If I wanted a palace, then I never would've turned the one that you've dedicated yourself to away. That's not who I am, you know that. Neither were you."

"Oh, come on. We've been gifted with things that men die for, especially your friend, Lericanin. How many bastards has he left in towns that he's probably forgotten about? Can you see him as a monk?" She chuckled. "You keep that scarf and hood off and kingdoms would lick your boots."

Lisa half-smiled, then replaced the scarf and sat up. "I remember so many things we did and felt when we were traveling together long ago. I miss that girl that I slept beside and fought to defend."

Tia sat beside her and gazed out to the small yard that fronted her home. "That girl is dead, and this one has taken her place. For the better," she turned to Lisa. "I want you to stay with us tonight, mother and Argenya have prepared a dinner and we'd like you to join us."

Lisa hesitated for a moment. "I can stay for a while but, I have to return to the inn. They're expecting me and you don't want them finding us here."

Tia's eyes narrowed. "Why not? It might be fun." She softened. "Lisa, I still love you and would do anything for you, that hasn't changed. I don't want you to hate me for living my own life and I want you to join us if you can when I get married."

"We'll see," she nodded.

After visiting with the trio and their demon overseer, Lisa finally headed back to the inn where she found Sceva in the main room who quickly moved to her as she entered the music and revelry.

"We need your help," he led her up the stairs to Lericanin's room where she noticed her friend lying on the bed, covered in sweat. An angry wound in his left shoulder had been cleaned but she could tell immediately that the poison used would never allow it to fully heal.

"What happened," she asked, turning to the worried knight.

"The young lady that he entertained used some type of drug and then during their passion, stabbed him and fled."

"Where are the others?"

"Alister, Faer and Selyria are out trying to hunt her down, they should be returning soon."

Lisa concentrated and laid her hands on Lericanin's shoulder, trying to draw out any remaining poison and heal the wound closed and within several moments, did manage to close it. It would be a mark that he would have to live with for some time though. She sat back as he looked up to her.

"Hello."

Lisa nodded, "Hello. How are you feeling?"

"Better. You've been gone a while."

"I saw Tia and her mother. You were right, she's not the one that I remember."

He focused a bit more. "She's here?"

"Yes, outside of town. They didn't have anything to do with this, if that's what you're thinking."

His blue eyes studied her for a moment, then closed as she backed out and headed to her own room for some rest.

That following morning she arose to a quiet room as the innkeeper's wife and daughter began cooking breakfast for their guests in the main room below. She should have been here last night. Perhaps she could've stopped Lericanin from being attacked or at least caught the girl before she had escaped. Hopefully the others found her. Rising, she got dressed and headed out into the hallway and down the stairs to see Gunnar and Selyria sitting quietly at a table. Their solemn eyes rose to greet her.

"Good morning," she greeted, then sat down quietly.

"Faer's dead," Selyria informed.

The news hit her like a wall. "What, how?"

"Last night while searching for the assassin, we left him in an alleyway near the house that she fled into to get the assistance of the local cleric. When we returned, all we found was a pool of blood."

"Then we need to find him," she stated emphatically.

"We've reported the incident to the cleric and magistrate," Gunnar informed. "They're going to take care of this. Lericanin's decided to leave before more of us come up missing. He's pretty upset right now as are we all."

Lisa couldn't believe her ears. She watched as the remaining members descended the stairs, gear in hand and headed to the stables. Rising, she retrieved her own things and met them in the street out front and mounted up as they left the town behind them.